drummer

I imagine my father 
a glorified drummer;
his rat-a-tat-tat 
wild and tribal.

Distant military Taps haunt foggy morning memories.
A tireless and patient metronome,
Valiant
Gallant.
A steadfast patriarch.

Puuuu-waaaahhhh-ssssiissss
Reliable time keeper,
I hope he breathes easily
knowing he lives admirably.

Look at his magnus opus - 
volumes multiply.
Two became four
and then eleven;
we are the best of him.

He raises us up -- 
Glory! Hallelujah! 
Hymns of hope ring from our family’s carillon;
we know all the words by heart.